Marillia Louise Spence

Suddenly without saying goodbye, Marillia Louise spence was called by the creator on Monday April ,17,2023, at Portage District General Hospital. Marillia fought a lengthy battle with diabetes & being on dialysis. She was a warrioress, so many times we thought she was going to leave us. She loved her grandchildren, and it made her invincible against her health issues. She always said “I’m not going to leave my grand babies” she cherished every single one of them. A great loss of a loving mother, sister, auntie, grandmother, great grandmother, godmother, sister-in-law, cousin, and friend.

She is now reunited with our dad, John Paul spence. Her parents; Joseph & Eva Sutherland, brothers & sister-in-law; Kenward Sutherland, Mervin Sutherland (Emma), Walter. Sisters & brother in laws; Audrey (Harry) Roulette, Mabel (Angus) Houle, Virginia (Arthur) Roulette, Rona (Harry) Desjarlais, Dorthy, Dinah, Madeline, Marie, Mederise Sutherland. Grandsons Kenneth and Jacob Spence, also great grandson Kendrick Spence.

Grandparents Catherine and Alexander McLean, Cousin Garry “Sonnyboy” McLean, niece Arlene (Roulette) McIvor, and grandson Francis Roulette. Marillia is survived by her children; Lenore, John (Renahh), Lorena (Dionne), Terri (Evie). Grandchildren: John (Lillian), Julius (Nicole), Jade, Jordan, Sherise, Johannah, Johnson, Joshua, Johneah, Joveah, Jealynn, Johnny and her baby Joriah, whom she named with pride and joy. Great grandsons Greyson, Mateo and Julius Jr. godchildren; Eva Dumas, Marcia Roulette, Livia Bales, Isanti Bales, Wayne Roulette, Catherine Roulette, Stephanie Roulette, Priscilla Roulette, Bernard Spence, Tony Bales, Donalda Richard, and Amanda Roulette. Her sister Hazel McIvor and numerous nieces and nephews.  

Marillia was born in Sandy Bay first nation on June 6,1951. She attended Sandy Bay residential school and continued her education in 1976 where she entered the p.e.n.t program at Brandon university, she graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Education degree. Marillia really enjoyed being a teacher for 30+ years, in 1983 she taught grade 5 then after she started teaching nursery until she had to retire early, she also loved that she got to teach her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Marillia really enjoyed all her grandchildren and loved having them in her home for many years and all the visits afterwards. Bingo was her favourite she played every night even if she didn’t always win, also loved her soap operas, crossword puzzles, card games, phone call visits, family birthdays and celebrations. She did so many things in her time she lived a very long beautiful life with so many memories with so many friends & family that will forever be cherished.  She will be dearly missed by all her family and everyone that knew her! 

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